The on-line museum of North America's independent department stores. The museum holds all sorts of information about classic department stores which either no longer exist, or are changed beyond recognition. A few of them are still with us, and provide an interesting connection to North America's retail past. The others are presented so that they may be properly remembered as a tangible part of the lives of their customers, shopping destinations where memories were often made.

The Halle Brothers Co., Cleveland, Ohio

Halle's in Cleveland was most identified by its gleamingwhite terra-cotta building at the eastern end of EuclidAvenue. It was built in 1910, and doubled in size by 1913

Severance opened in the summer of '63 and, indeed, was in Cleveland Heights. Cedar Center was closed shortly thereafter. Halle had other branches back in the 1920s, but closed them during the depression. One was in downtown Canton.

The Men's Store in downtwon Cleveland was in a separate building across "Halle's Ailee". They also had a building on Huron, which included part of the basement store. Halle's was bought by Marshall Field's in 1970. It had been a public company, controlled by the Halle family. It languished under Field's management and the stores closed after the Christmas season of 1981. Filed's had merged the store with The Union, a department store in Columbus.

Hixson's, Inc, 14125 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio has a few different Mr. Jing-a-ling ornaments. If you are really lucky, Bill Hixson, himself (who decorated The White House for many years) might be there and he is always willing to sign an ornament and engage in fascinating conversation. Expect to spend at least an hour, as he has hundreds of beautiful old world ornaments from which to choose, many consigned from families with whom he has done business for decades.

To answer a few questions above. Mr. Jingles was actually "Mr. Jingaling" ("How You Ting-aLing, Keeper Of The Keys").

Also, The flagship store in Downtown Cleveland was used as the "backdrop" for the Drew Carey Show as the Winfred-Louder Department Store, and was converted to office space on the upper floors and retail on the main floor & basement.

Meanwhile, the Halle's annex south of Huron Avenue was converted into an indoor parking garage as the Halle Building Parking Garage. What is cool about parking there is that there are a lot of relics that they didn't gut when converting to a parking garage, like old EXIT signs, ceiling moldings and old elevator doors.

There is/was another parking garage (underground) off of Prospect by the old Colonial/Euclid Arcades that used to be the basement of another smaller department/discount store.

I have an expansive collection of Halle memorabilia...and have been an enthusiast since their demise when I was a childOf all my treasures, the most exciting is a pair of salmon pink mid-century modern ceiling fixtures retrieved from the downtown store after its renovation began to make way for a multi-use space....They were once installed in The Ladies Powder Room in the mid 60's....It is a shame what department store retailing has come to in this country.....And we have Federated to thank for that....not to mention Dillard's-At best--the closest we can find from the "Golden Age of Shopping" is New York City-However that market has fallen victim to retailing's homogenizing....

There is a very real difference between Halle Brothers, and what Halle's became under its ownership by the Schottenstein family. Halle Brother's was a first rate department store. However the "Halle's" stores of the 1977 on were a train wreck driven by an out of town retailing undertaker. It was a sad end to fine store.

One other point of clarification, once it was consolidated with The Union Department Store from Columbus, all of the Union Stores including downtown Columbus, Upper Arlington, Graceland and Town and Country became Halle's.

They also converted the Marion, Ohio Union at Southland Mall into a Halle's, but the store closed within two to three months. That would have been in the summer of 1978.

My sister was an elevator operator at Halle's in the early '50s. She worked part time while going to college. I wanted to do that. They wore cool uniforms and had their own employee lounge. By the time I worked there ten years later, also while in college, the elevators were self service. I worked in the Ski Chalet. We got to wear the ski clothes while on duty. I also "volunteered" at the gift wrap station on my lunch hour because I loved to wrap presents. By the wat, one of the restaurant's specialties was Welsh Rarebit— dreadful cheese sauce on dry, thin toast with roast almonds. But it was very exotic. Halle's was also known for their "foreign fairs" highlighting a different country each year with great to-do.

Deccember 2, 2011...Please!!! I am in need of the geranium picture used at Halle's, to be used for a Westlake Garden Club Luncheon in April 2012 ...How can I find it? I still have my Halle's charge card!!! Thank you.

You might want to look for the book "Halle's: Memoirs of a Family Department Store" by James M. Wood, published 1987. There is a geranium on the dust-jacket, but I don't know if it is the one you are looking for. I have a copy given to Chisholm Halle given to him by his mother.

My mother worked in the women's coat department at Halle's in the late 1940s. She recalls the day that she assisted actress Margaret Hamilton (of "The Wizard of Oz" fame). She still has her Halle's business card that Ms. Hamilton autographed for her.

MichelleBeth, thank you, forgot all about that Welsh Rarebit, remembering how grown up I felt when I ordered that and you're right, it was awful. But, that wasn't the point then, how fun............

I also remember my Dad taking me to Halle's for Christmas.........and when he, reluctantly, donated his one black "rubber" shoe protector they used to fit over their shoes. Halle's had an escalator with the old style wooden slats and they were not kind. Dad was on the floor playing tug of war, he lost............I couldn't stop laughing. I do miss that store..........

I love your blog. It looks as if you may not be doing it anymore. If you are, could you please post information and photos for Polsky's and O'Neil's in downtown Akron, Ohio? That's where my sweetest memories are. Thank you.

Quite the contrary, I am constantly at work on The Department Store Museum. I add exhibits as the information becomes available to me. I do have some about O'Neils and Polsky's, but am waiting for Akron newspapers to become available online so that I can make them complete. From time to time, you may wish to view the "new exhibits" page as I keep it up-to-date.

I am also renovating the exhibits to have a consistent graphic "flavor" and better photographs.

At the "entrance" to the museum, there is a list of stores. Ones with detailed exhibits are linked, and those which do not are not. It is my intention to have a page soon for each store, at least with a logo on it.

You might enjoy seeing the Polsky's credit Card which I posted recently with the help of a generous contributor.

We came from Michigan to Ohio because of my husband's job. Halle's was an absolutely beautiful store - elegant decorations such as bouquets of fresh flower arrangements on the first floor. And, the most polite employees - a big change from Higbee's. I was sad when it closed, but lucky enough to buy a Chinese Chippendale China Cabinet at their closing sale.

Just finished working a rummage sale this past week. A gift box with an ornate candle snuffer enclosed came in as part of a donation. I kept the box, remembering back to the day when I was a child and went to downtown Cleveland every Christmas to see the window decorations. Ahhhh, what a simpler time!

I worked at Halles severance in the geriumin room when I was in high school... can remember the welsh rabeit and the fruit plates... I would love to have the fluffy reciepe that we used with the fruit salad and one the ice cream pies we made with left over ice cream... and the made a cake pudding with it using the old cakes... for the buffet...

I found a beautiful black women's coat with a fur collar a few years ago at a Goodwill. There is a name Cleo McM embroidered on the inside of the jacket. The lining is beautiful embroidery in black and the name is in white. I wonder if I could find out any information on the coat? Thank you.

I worked at Halle's starting in June 1961 (my first job, making $1.25 an hour) in the Fashion Fabrics Dept on the 6th floor as a Buyer's Clerical. Mrs LaNasa was the Buyer at that time. I remember the long counter against the front wall loaded with pattern books, we had a salesperson behind the counter who did nothing but pull patterns for customers. There were approx 4-5 salespeople on the floor each day who measured and cut fabric for customers. We were usually very busy with people sewing for themselves and family. Each year we had a "Vogue Pattern" fashion show. Cleveland models wore fashions made from Vogue patterns, it was a BIG event. Marie Blackington (a rep from Vogue) always came in from NY for those shows. The slowest time of the year was the week before Christmas, which allowed our department to have a really nice Christmas party. I remember Mr Halle, dressed in a suit with his boutonniere, going through the store every moring saying "Good Morning" to employees and customers. He was a very handsome and distinqished gentleman, with his white hair, looking neat as a pin. I remember the Geranium shopping bags, and the uniformed elevator operators. The day after Thanksgiving was always so "special" to see for the FIRST time the store and the store windows decorated for Christmas. It was such a magical time of the year. Most women wore hats and gloves when they came downtown to shop men were in suit and tie. That was such a great time in Cleveland's history.

I grew up in Indiana and was lucky to enjoy the days of the carriage trade department store, L.S. Ayres which was internationally renowned for it's Haute Couture in all departments. After college I became a buyer there and moved on up into the world of chain retailing in Chicago and beyond and finally landed up with Cole National retailing here in Cleveland. The nostalgia surrounding Halle's intrigued me and as I began my own business in Cleveland 10 years ago. I was fortunate to be able to purchase one of Halle's original counter units including a swing door unit. This piece of history was just moved my second store that is opening next month at Eton Chagrin Blvd. I feel at home with the counter in place and it brings back my childhood and younger career days in the romantic Camelot days of family owned department stores. As I look back through the years of my retail career, these wonderful department stores are now found fragmented around the world in us, the specialty store retailers. Not the convenience of one stop luxury shopping, but I try to capture the romance, the service and the aura of those days. Check out our FB post on the installation of this historic gem: http://www.facebook.com/labellavitacleveland?fref=ts

My grandmother took me, her first granddaughter to Halle's to shop, get a "malted" I think in the basement? in a glass container. I remember getting a tree seedling in the late 1960's which I planted in our yard. It grew highter than the 2 story house. Christmas was magical with Mr. Jinglealing. My first job out of high school in 1973 was in the invoice office at Halle Bros. But before I could start, I worked at the restraunt, not the nice one, but, next door, lunches were served on trays. I loved walking in every morning, stopping at the perfume counter, spraying "Charlie" perfume, which lasted days. The actress Halle Berry got her name from Halle Bros.

november 22, 2012 yesterday i found at auction a coin that reads from santa claus the halle bros. co christmas 1933 and on the other side it reads santa claus wishing coin. what would this coin be worth today. i am going to put it on ebay. maybe a collector would want it. leave a message.

Hey everyone! Im looking for any MR. Jingeling items that anyone would like to sell as well as any christmas window displays that are out there from Halle's. Im also looking for photos of Mr. Jingeling that anyone would have. Please let me know and drop an email. thanksunderthebigtopgourmetshoppe@yahoo.com

My father, John Morton was the first Branch Store Manager for the Shaker Square Store. The store opened on August 23, 1948 and he was unable to be there for the ribbon cutting as his daughter was born on that day and he was at St. Luke's Hosptial fopr her birth. Some of my fondest memories were ringing the closing bell at closing time. My father went on to open sveral other stores: Southland, Westgate, Severance and the Millcreek Mall in Erie Pa.

I remember around the early 1960's going to the big city of Cleveland and shopping at Halle's what an experience. Living in a small town about 60 miles away was a big deal for us. Then later on learning that my Great Grandmother worked for the Halle family as their housekeeper.

Thank you for the offer. The problem is, that The Department Store Museum is not a physical museum as such, but an on-line one. I would welcome the Wishing Coin, photograph it and post it in the charge card section, as I have with an A&S token sent to me by a visitor. I would keep the item with other department store memorabilia I have acquired.

Alternately, you could keep it and send some (preferably high-resolution) images of it to post.

At any rate, I appreciate the value of the coin and your offer. You may email me at bakgraphics@comcast.net for more information.

You to turn the key. Keeping track of Santa's pack and treasure house of toys. Wind up things that Santa brings to all the little girls and boys. Mr. Jingaling how you tingalingWith your many keys. On Halle's seventh floor we'll be looking for you to turn the key.

Hello...I'm so glad I found your blog! I have been compiling a history of local retailing in my hometown of Mount Vernon, Ohio. The blog is at http://www.rudins.wordpress.com I have also written a novel about an elevator operator in a small town department in the 50s. I would love to put your blog address on my blog roll at http://www.margaretlandings.com (the blog about the elevator operator). Congratulations on constructing such an informational website. I hope we can "talk department stores."

Our family has a Christmas gift box with Halle's golden sticker and the date 12/25/67 on it. For the past 47 years someone (it's a secret) gets the gift box and is in charge of taking care of it until the next year. It has become quite a tradition and conversation piece for our family at holiday gatherings. It has quite a few tape marks and is well loved, but we plan to keep the tradition going! In four years it will be a 50 year tradition!

I remember Halle's well in the 1950's and early 1970's. It was the most elegrant department store on Euclid Avenue. I loved going in all the department stores and all the stores down Euclid Ave - I was a young teen then but at Halle's I loved to go look at all the designer clothes, blouses - I remember the beauty salon as well. I often went with my mother and, sister. We loved May Company, Higbee, Halles and also the Kresege, Petrie and Wonderful Woolworth stores. Also, the "Mod" London Look was in at that time. It definitely indeed was a golden era of shopping. Whatever happened to the Halle family - are any of them still around? I remember when they were closing my Mother bought me a beautiful Anne Klein Watch that still works today. I am 60 years old now and still wear the watch. You just can't buy those types of things anymore. My sister and I in our teens would go downtown often and buy shoes, dresses, get our hair done especially around Easter time - Chandlers would display all their beautiful white sling backs, high heels as well as Cole's. We would walk all the way up and down Euclid and browse at all the shoe stores before we bought the pair we wanted. Higbees also had a beautiful display of shoes on the first floor. How sad that the grand department stores of downtown are gone . There was Boukairs ice cream parlor, the wonderful "Kon Tiki" at the Sheraton Hotel and my brother and I would often go to Otto Moser's for the great corned beef sandwhich we never could finish. The malls pretty much took all the business away - the late 1950's and 60's were times when everyone came downtown as it was all "happening" downtown. I also loved the fashion shows that Higbees had - I remember once Bobbie Rydell was there and many other famous celebrities would visit. These days the only time Downtown Cleveland is alive is at holiday time in Tower City - but someone needs to stop putting in so many banks and offices on Euclid, how nice it would be to have a couple of the large department stores , shoe stores, record stores and even "5 & 10" back.. It is nice to have people living downtown but they have to drive miles out to shop. People are geniunely scared to come downtown anymore and there is no shopping to be done. Some of these people have great ideas about downtown living but perhaps someone needs to bring back some of the "old Cleveland" shopping back, It will never be the same and sadly the young generations has no clue but what we tell them about "how it used to be" - I am glad I grew up in that time that I did. I am sure many of my generation have the same thoughts and memories. I really miss 1960's Euclid Avenue shopping strip.

I loved reading your article. Your memories reflect my own. I remember going to the Kon Tiki for special occasion dates. They had a drink called a "scorpion" that came with a beautiful gardenia floating in it. I can still remember the lovely smell !! How I wish those days would come back...Such a wonderful time to grow up. My memories will have to sustain me.

I remember Halle's final Christmas. It was a week night. The downtown Clv. store was open late...maybe 8pm. I finished my shopping and went to the mezzanine level to get my gifts wrapped and have a drink...I guess they had some kind of wine bar. They had white gloved bell ringers performing above the main floor and it was something special that at the time I felt would be gone soon.

Halle's at Southland was at the corners of Smith and Pearl Roads. The shopping center had a Sears on the West 130th Side, a JC Penney facing Pearl Road and Halle's took the far right side on Smith and Pearl Road-You have it incorrectly listed at Taylor and Mayfield Roads which is the location of the SEVERANCE store that opened in 1963. Halle's Southland opened in 1957. It was a smaller scaled store compared to the Westgate and Severance branch locations which were much larger but nothing compared to the grand dame Main Store on Euclid Avenue. When you shopped at Halle's it was like shopping at Saks. Sheer Elegance....

My grandmother worked at the Halle Southland yard goods for many years. I enjoyed visiting her. Her coworkers were all very pleasant and nice. My sister and I also were on Mr. Jingaling tv show downtown on the 7th floor. Wish there was more information about the Southland store.

My grandmother worked at the Halle Southland yard goods for many years. I enjoyed visiting her. Her coworkers were all very pleasant and nice. My sister and I also were on Mr. Jingaling tv show downtown on the 7th floor. Wish there was more information about the Southland store.

When the Belden Village store in Canton closed, we bought some of their Christmas decorations.They were very large glass ornaments hanging from red velvet ribbons,which we hung from the ceiling of my families restaurant Topps Chalet.

I have a 1933 Halle Brothers Co. Christmas Wishing coin. Does anyone know if it is worth anything? I would rather sell it (NOT trying to make millions off of it!) and know it is in appreciative hands rather than sitting in a drawer in my house!Thanks!

I worked at Halle's downtown Cleveland from 1978 to 1980. I made so many friends there and loved working there. It was a beautiful and magical place. I worked on the main floor in the Stationary department at first and then as a floater on the floor while attending Cleveland State University. Is there anyone out there who worked there at the same time?

I worked in the downtown Halle's in 1972 and 1973.First in the basement Men's dept. then on the sixth floor in the drapery dept. Really enjoyed my time there.Caught the tail end of the legendary Miss Wolfe era. Wonder if anyone is around that worked there at that time.

I have 3 Halle Brothers custom made hats (1 from Cleveland and 2 from New York (Cavanagh). Wondering what they are worth and what I should do with them? Please email me at henryd2009@hotmail.com. Thank you.

I worked at Halle's Southland when I was in high school in 1980-1981. I recall working in a small department where they sold designer jeans and upscale juniors. I think the department was called Here and Now.

Hi, My name is Carol and I presently own an Irish Mail tricycle from the turn of the century. There is a silver plated shield on the front of the bike with Halle Bros name on it. My mom used to ride it in the early 20s as a little girl. It's sitting in my garage and I don't know what I should do with it. I was considering finding a home for it in a museum in Cleveland. I live in Endicott, New York and travel back to Ohio on occasion. Could you please let me know if you would be interested in this bike? It's red and I did redo the seat on it many years ago...

Unfortunately, I cannot take the bike. However, I am sure that there are history museums in Cleveland that would possibly be interested. Or, if it would be possible to find out where it was manufactured, there may be a museum there that would be interested. Small world - my sister-in-law is from the Endicott area (Owego) and that's how I knew exactly where your town is located.- Bruce

I just inherited what I'm pretty sure is a mink coat with the Shillito Rikes label. Absolutely gorgeous. Has Sandra G Pelfrey label on it. It's a dark brown waist length style. Superbly made and did I say gorgeous. I love it. Watch out P.E.T.A. I didn't kill it but I'm going to wear it. Cold in Texas.

I have the same memories above of fun shopping trips on Euclid Ave in the 60's. Taking the rapid downtown to Terminal Tower, heading first to Petrie's on Euclid Ave (past the fragrant Nuthouse!), then to Chandler's, Cole's & Baker's for shoes. Have vivid memories of watching 'Vegimatic' demos at Woolworth's by who must have been Ron Popeil himself. Next, took the green Halle bus up to Halle's, Bonwit Teller, Milgrims, and another large dept store whose name I cannot recall. On the way back, a stop at May Co to the Betsy Johnson dept & other 'Carnaby St' style departments, then over to Higbee's and home on the rapid. So much fun to shop for date nights.I was on the 'Teen Board' at Mays-on-the-Heights.' Lots of fun tearoom modeling and as helpers (elves) at Santa & Easter Bunny breakfasts, where mothers dropped off their 2-year-olds to shop. In today's world we would have done more community volunteer work. Last memory: Pierre Lalire was the vp, art director at Halle's starting in about 1960 or 1961. The Lalire's were close friends of my family for many years. Pierre originated the annual, themed, international shopping experiences and raised the bar for artistic/themed presentation of curated merchandise alongside the necessary clothing & furniture items. I believe he originated the geranium theme - if not, he promoted it. When ticking fabric was installed in the elevators, it made people dizzy, so Pierre painted geraniums on the ticking and voila, no more dizzy shoppers. My parents loved hearing new stories about Pierre's newest themes & projects and latest travel. My impression was that Pierre was much appreciated and respected by the Halle family.

Thank you for your interesting comments about Pierre Lalire. He was obviously very talented and enthusiastic, a real part of the Halle's mystique. In the future I would like to install a feature on those annual import fairs. They were a big event in the life of this magnificent store.

As a small child, my neighbor would take me downtown on the 19 bus, shop all day, have lunch at Halle's then meet her mom at the Press building on 9th St. where she worked. I used to get the hobo lunch which came wrapped in a bandana tied to the end if a stick. Also recall an ice cream parlor on 4th St. I wish I knew the name.

I worked at the downtown Halle's store from June of 1964 to May of 1966 in the women's shoe department on the second floor. I did clerical work in their office. I made so many friends while working there, it was such a great experience for me! The store was always decorated beautifully for holidays, so magical to me!! Great memories of a by gone era!!!!!

Just had to see this again today...an update on the main store. It is now owned by the K&D Group and is being renovated into apartments with some office space, plus a full-service restaurant and shops on the Main Floor and fast-food/fast-casual in the old Downstairs Store.

Store directory corrections: Basement- originally Downstairs Store (DSS) and renamed Budget Floor by Marshall Fields; never Basement Store. Frosty Bar also in Basement. In later years records relocated to basement and a clearance center for furniture and other hard goods.

1963 Halles was my first job after graduating from the Andrews School Willoughby Ohio on the main floor then in the Designers Floor sitting at a desk announcing customers with a microphone to their salesperson. Working for buyer Mildred Pomeroy, met designers at her cocktail parties. I think James Brown & Ernie Greene of the Cleveland Browns worked off season in the men's dept. After work we would go to Schenleys for happy hour

I used to work at Halle's as a plain clothes store detective. That was first job out of high school. I fooled a lot of crooks as they thought I was just some kid out of school walking around in the Store (little beknownst to them. I loved working there - we were all a big happy family. It was very sad being there for the end of this Store. I always have happy memories of that place. Our kids today have no idea of what that was like.

Margaret Hamilton was a graduate of Hathaway Brown, and came to speak to us in the mid+sixties about Hollywood and life in general. It was a little sad because she was very truthful and expressed some regrets about her life.

My Aunt was the buyer for the book dept. She worked first as the asst buyer and her whole working career at Halle's.The book shop was on the 7th floor just next to the Tea Room.There have been a number of comments about Margaret Hamilton being in or around the store. She was first cousin to one of the people who worked in the book dept so most of the people in the book dept knew her. I worked a summer job in the fur dept I still carry some knowledge of fur from the exposure there.

My Aunt was the buyer for the book dept. She worked first as the asst buyer and her whole working career at Halle's.The book shop was on the 7th floor just next to the Tea Room.There have been a number of comments about Margaret Hamilton being in or around the store. She was first cousin to one of the people who worked in the book dept so most of the people in the book dept knew her. I worked a summer job in the fur dept I still carry some knowledge of fur from the exposure there.

I worked on the elevator for a time in the 60's-when I was full time they did our hair monthly -we had a summer and winter designer uniform suits-we had to know where everything was to direct the customers-we couldn't sit down when the store was open and we had to know how to work the older elevator at the end which had the old gates-one time a customer wanted to know where to find domestics which really stumped me since I only could think we didn't sell servants--(had to ask)Of cours the people would ask which way for what they wanted and many times they went the opposite way we told them.

As noted in the comments above years ago, but not yet corrected, Southland was not at Libby and Northfield Road as that would’ve been Southgate (which was Taylor’s later May Company as well as pennies and Sears) but in West 130th and Pearl.

Hallie’s basement was referred to as the Downstairs Store until Marshall Fields rename the Budget Floor in the 70s.

I was lucky enough to work in the downtown Cleveland Halle Bros.store in the window display dept.in 1980 and 1981. While we were dressing the manakins it was fun to have people watch us from both the Euclid and Huron sides of the buildings. We would stay late and do the Christmas Windows after the store closed. There was a huge, wonderful warehouse on the top floor full of all kinds of props to use and we used to sunbathe on the roof during lunch! When they closed, I was given one of the store's Greneker manakins which I believe was made in Germany. What a fabulous store. I miss it!

I worked for here in the early 80's on the receiving dock downtown until Jerome Schottenstein purchased the stores, I then helped close the store in Cleveland and worked at the Westgate Mall store which became headquarters until the closing of all the stores, fun times, good people.

I worked at Halle's at 1228 Euclid Ave. after the Air Force during Vietnam. Halle's as stock boy in the Huron - Prospect Building. In Housewares, Men's Wear, Toys, Fine China, Lamps. I remember Mr. Walter walking around and greeting us with a "good morning". My friend Jo Hite was a waitress in the Minotaur Room. Mr. Al Smith the Doorman / Greeter. They had a green bus that ran from Public Square to the store.

About Me

Born in 1958 into an American family with deep Polish roots, I was encouraged at an early age to take education wherever I could get it. I was taken across the country as a child, by my first-generation American parents, to see the wonders of our continent, and several World's Fairs which my parents felt would be educational and fun for our family. All of these things have affected my life in so many ways since then. I achieved a couple of degrees in architecture, and attained licensure in 1990. My specialty in the field is creative design, for which I have received a number of awards and accolades. I am happily married for the second time. I experienced the sadness and pain of being a widower after my first wife passed away suddenly in 1996. I would not be telling the truth if I did not mention how central my Roman Catholic faith was in negotiating such a difficult time. It still is, in fact. I work for Fieldstone A&E and, my free time is spent, learning, researching, writing, cooking, traveling, taking photographs, ballroom dancing, and enjoying my relationship with my wife and family with whom I am extraordinarily close.